William Windsor (known as Billy), a goat, was a Lance Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh. ^[1]

The Royal Welch Fusiliers were presented with a Kashmir goat from the royal herd in 1884, by Queen Victoria. ^[2] Successive monarchs have replaced the original ever since. ^[2]

Billy, a Kashmir goat ^[2] from the royal herd at Whipsnade Zoo ^[3], was presented by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. ^[4] He is said to be friendly, and likes meeting people. ^[1]

Billy —Army Number 25232301 ^[2]—is not a mascot, but a ranking member of the regiment. ^[1]

Since joining the regiment in 2001 ^[2], he has served overseas, met royalty, and led every battalion parade ^[1]

His primary duty was to march at the head of the battalion on all ceremonial duties. ^[1] He was present for every parade the regiment has taken part in. ^[1]

He spent two-and-a-half years in Cyprus whilst the battalion was posted there, and has lived in Chester since their return. ^[1]

Billy had a full-time carer during his military service, Lance-Corporal Ryan Arthur, known as the Goat Major, who ensured Billy's welfare at all times. ^{[1] [3]}

On 16 June 2001, ^[4] at a parade to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday, ^[2] at the Episkopi base near Limassol, Cyprus on the Mediterranean island's south coast. ^[2] Invited dignitaries included the ambassadors of Spain, Netherlands and Sweden and the Argentine commander of UN forces on Cyprus. ^[5]

This was Billys first overseas posting, ^[4], and despite being ordered to keep in line, he Billy refused to obey. ^[4] He failed to keep in step, ^[5] and trying to head butt a drummer's rear. ^[6] The Goat Major, Lance Corporal Dai Davies, 22, from Neath, South Wales, was unable to keep him in line. ^[5]

Billy was marched before his commanding officer Huw James after being reported for "unacceptable behaviour" ^[2] and "lack of decorum". ^[5] He was reported through the chain of command and accused of disobeying a direct order, ^[5]and demoted from Lance Corporal to Fusilier. ^{[5] [1]}

The change meant that other fusiliers in the regiment no longer had to stand to attention when Billy walked past, as they had to when he was a Lance Corporal. ^[4]

The British army in Cyprus had received a protest letter from a Canadian animal rights group demanding the army reinstate Billy as he was "only acting the goat" during the Queen's ceremony. ^[2]

Three months later, on 20 September ^[2]on the same parade ground, ^[2] Billy regained his rank during the Alma Day parade to celebrate a Royal Welsh victory in the Crimean War. ^[2]

Captain Simon Clarke said, "Billy performed exceptionally well, he has had all summer to reflect on his behaviour at the Queen's birthday and clearly earned the rank he deserves". ^[2]

Billy received his promotion from the Colonel of the Royal Welsh Regiment, Brigadier Roderick Porter, ^[2] thus regaining membership of the Corporals' Mess ^[2]

After eight years' distinguished service, ^[3] Billy retired due to his age. ^[1]

On 20 May 2009, ^[3] he was led into his trailer by the battalion's Goat Major in full ceremonial dress. ^[1] Soldiers from the battalion lined the route from his pen to the trailer as he left the camp for the last time. ^[1] Billy returned to Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. ^[1]

His replacement will be chosen from a herd on the Great Orme in Llandudno ^[1] in June. ^[3]